Writer’s Shop Talk: Mastering the Craft: Progress Update on Writing ‘Reunion: Coda’ Chapter 24

Late Morning, Wednesday, February 5, 2025, Miami, Florida

“Writing isn’t about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it’s about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well. It’s about getting up, getting well, and getting over. Getting happy, okay? Getting happy.” ― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Yesterday’s writing session was a big win compared to Monday’s unproductive disaster. It took up my whole afternoon, and I needed every bit of my focus. After hours of repeatedly telling myself the story, I finally managed to draft a rough sketch of the fourth—and probably last—scene for Reunion: Coda’s Chapter 24. The sense of accomplishment was awesome, giving my creativity a boost.

“To write is human, to edit is divine.” ― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

The outline for Scene Four is like a Rand McNally roadmap: 313 words that chart the chapter’s end but miss out on the juicy details and excitement. While it hits the story beats, provides specific details, and offers dialogue guidelines, it’s not quite ready for prime time. Think of it more as a trusty GPS guiding you from concept to completion, rather than a turn-by-turn navigation system for immediate writing.  

Honestly, I would have been over the moon if I’d written Scene Four outright like I did with the earlier sections of Reunion: Coda. But I’m aiming for a grand finale that doesn’t fizzle out, so I’ve shelved my improvisational flair for now and am meticulously charting the last chapters. It’s like swapping a spontaneous jam session for a well-rehearsed symphony—hoping it hits all the right notes.

“Words have weight.” ― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Anyway, that’s all I’ve got for this first Hump Day in February. Check back tomorrow to see how today’s afternoon novel-writing session unfolds—I can’t wait to share the progress!